PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gilbert De La Cruz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Norman Pederson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Norman Pederson will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

De La Cruz
vs
Pederson

193 cm
25
205 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

195 cm
22
220 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

Good takedowns
Good knees
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Gilbert De La Cruz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Norman Pederson!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
De La Cruz fails with a takedown attempt.

Pederson scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
De La Cruz has hold of Pederson's hands but Pederson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

De La Cruz looking for submissions off his back.
De La Cruz keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

De La Cruz actively working from the bottom here.
Pederson is keen to just control but De La Cruz is a slippery customer.
Pederson seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's one minute gone in the round.

De La Cruz looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

De La Cruz is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Pederson pulls his head out easily.
De La Cruz's coaches at Barbell Brigade - $1000 have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
De La Cruz slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

De La Cruz looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
My spies in Death Valley Training Facility inform me that Pederson has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Pederson trying to control the position from guard on top but De La Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Pederson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
De La Cruz avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Pederson sitting in guard here, content to control.

De La Cruz looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Pederson has picked De La Cruz up and slammed him! De La Cruz can't keep hold of the triangle and Pederson manages to pass to side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pederson goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, De La Cruz has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Pederson but great work by De La Cruz.
De La Cruz has control of an arm but Pederson manages to advance to De La Cruz's back!
De La Cruz can't escape the position.
De La Cruz takes a big shot to the side of the head.
Pederson struggling to keep hold of the position.
I really don't envy De La Cruz right now.
De La Cruz is working hard here to advance position.

Pederson working for a choke but De La Cruz is defending well.
Pederson has the hooks in. De La Cruz is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pederson throwing damaging strikes from the back! De La Cruz could be in trouble here!
This has been an exciting period of action!
De La Cruz breaks Pederson's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Pederson wants to stand but De La Cruz is controlling the position.

Pederson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but De La Cruz can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Pederson is trying to hold De La Cruz in close to prevent damage but De La Cruz has managed to pass into half guard.

De La Cruz is working for an americana but Pederson has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst De La Cruz was thinking about the submission.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pederson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Norman Pederson dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Pederson takes the fight into the clinch.
De La Cruz changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Pederson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from De La Cruz is defended easily by Pederson.

Pederson gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows De La Cruz to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Pederson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

De La Cruz has gone for a leg lock! Pederson slips out almost immediately though and dives into De La Cruz's guard.

De La Cruz working for a triangle but Pederson defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pederson drops back looking for a leg! De La Cruz is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and De La Cruz manages to kick Pederson off! Pederson jumps back into De La Cruz's guard.
Pederson looking to pass the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pederson is looking to stand up but De La Cruz won't let him.

De La Cruz has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Pederson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Pederson got a little sloppy there for a moment and De La Cruz has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Pederson has managed to get both his arms back between De La Cruz's legs - danger averted.
Pederson trying to control the position from guard on top but De La Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

De La Cruz looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

De La Cruz throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Pederson wants to control from the top but De La Cruz keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pederson seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Pederson trying to control the position from guard on top but De La Cruz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
De La Cruz fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Pederson avoids it really well and circles away.
Pederson flicks out a counter leg kick but De La Cruz steps away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gilbert De La Cruz. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

De La Cruz looking to score a takedown here. Pederson is defending well but De La Cruz drives through and ends up in Pederson's guard.
Pederson keeping full guard, as De La Cruz tries to pass.

De La Cruz postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Pederson is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of De La Cruz, into his guard.

Pederson content to stall in guard here.
Norman Pederson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Pederson stands up over De La Cruz, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Norman Pederson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Pederson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Pederson gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Pederson looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

De La Cruz has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Pederson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
De La Cruz can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Pederson controls the pace.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pederson wants to pass the guard but De La Cruz is keeping the position.

De La Cruz has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Pederson is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for De La Cruz.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.
De La Cruz takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Pederson wants to control but De La Cruz is keeping him busy.
Pederson tries to move to mount but De La Cruz blocks the move with his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
De La Cruz is not content to let Pederson control the position.
De La Cruz is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Pederson off and has taken his back!

De La Cruz is persistently looking for the submission but Pederson is defending it well.

De La Cruz is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

De La Cruz tightening his grip on Pederson, looking for the choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pederson wants to control his opponent's hands but De La Cruz gets his hands free.
Pederson is really stuck here.

Pederson preventing the rear naked choke attempt from De La Cruz.

De La Cruz is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Pederson is defending well though. De La Cruz let's go of the attempt for now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

De La Cruz has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Pederson has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Pederson wants to get back to his feet.
Norman Pederson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Pederson trying to control the position but De La Cruz manages to sink in the hooks.

Pederson defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Pederson defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of De La Cruz's arms.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Pederson wants to control his opponent's hands but De La Cruz gets his hands free.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Gilbert De La Cruz.
Well Pederson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Norman Pederson!
Norman Pederson thanked the fans post fight for their support.